Wall construction



NOV. 20, w. MA MCNE|L WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 17, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l M w 4 w s 4 M 1 3 y .a 5 A m wx u 4 n4 wb 9% l Nov. 20

W M MGNEIL WALL CONSTRUCTION FiledA Aug. 17, 1932 Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES WALL CONSTRUCTION William M. McNeil, Chicago, Ill., asaignor to United States Gypsum Company, Chicago, Ill., a

corporation of Illinois Application August 17, 1932, Serial No. 629,109-

22 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to building constructions, and has reference more particularly to wall constructions in which materials of a reproof nature are used.

In the construction of the walls of buildings, .partitions and the like, it is desirable to fonn said wallsaf materials of a reproof nature. In the construction of such a wall it is desirable to use steel studs and to provide a convenient means for supporting the bottom of the studs. The wall construction should also provide convenient means for running concealed electric light and telephone wires through the partition.

An object of this invention,l therefore, is to provide a wall or partition structure composed largely of flreproof materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wall construction in which steel studs are used and convenient means are provided for supporting the studs so as to enable the wall structure to be easily and quickly erected with the minimum of labor and expense.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wall structure of the class described in which provision is made for passing electric wires along the partition; also to improve building constructions in other respects hereinafter specified and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying c' 'awings forming a part of this speciflcation in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of portions of the wall and partition structure,

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation through the wall construction,-

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of a modified form of plate used for supporting the lower ends of steel studs,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of partition construction, using the plate shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a sectional perspective view of a further modifled form of wall structure,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of stud-supporting runner,

Fig. 'l is a still further modified form of studsupporting plate shown in Fig. 5, and

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the partition-supporting member shown in Figs. 5 and 7.

In erecting my improved wall construction, I preferably use steel studs 10, each composed of a pair of channel strips having their webs spotwelded together in a spaced, back-to-back position so as to form a substantially H shaped stud having outstanding flanges 11. The lower ends (Cl. 'I2-46) of the studs 10 are supported upon a U shaped channel strip 12 having an upstanding flange 13 formed along each edge thereof. Two pairs of upstanding integral lugs 14 are struck from the metal of the channel strips l2, said lugs resiliently engaging the webs and flanges of the studs 10 so as to prevent movement of the 'bottom end of the stud in` any horizontal direction. The channel strips l2 are supported in a horizontal position, spaced apart from the upper surface of a floor 16, by means of U shaped channel clips 17 having downwardly extending legs 18. An outstanding flange 19 is formed on the bottom of each of the legs 18, and said flanges terminate in upwardly extending flanges 20 which lie in spaced, parallel relation to the legs 18. The flanges 19 are preferably provided with perforations 21 so that said flanges may benailed to the floor. The clips 1'7 are secured to the web of the channel strips 12 by spot-welding 22, rivets or other suitable means, said clips 17 being spaced along the channel strips 12 at intervals of say two feet, and provide a substantial space under the strips 12 so that electric light and telephone conduits or pipes 23 may be positioned in said space.

The wall proper is composed of wall panels 25 which are preferably formed of gypsum board having a cementitious gypsum core material 26 faced on both surfaces with paper cover sheets 2'7. However, fiber board or any other desired type of wall panel may be used in the construction. The bottom edges of the board 25 are supported on the webs of the channel strips 12, and are positioned between the upstandng flanges 13 and upstanding integral lugs 28, which are struck from the metal of the channel strips l2. The upper edges of the wall panels 25 may be secured to the stud flanges 11 by means of attaching clips 29 having opposed integral lugs 30 formed therefrom, and forming opposed channels for the reception of adjoining wall panels. Spring clips 32 may be spot-welded at one end to the clips 29, and the other end of the clips 32 may be provided with channel shaped flanges 33 and 33a for embracing the opposed flanges 11 of the studs. The clips 32 are provided with a resilient loop 34 so that the wall panels 25 are resiliently connected to the stud, thus providing a sound-proof structure and one in which cracks do not form in a layer of plaster 36, which may be applied to the outer face of the wall panels 25 if desired.

The studs 10 are preferably composed of a short channel and a long channel having pressed out pads 12a in their webs to space the webs apart about 5/8 to give clearance for the clip flange 33a between the webs. Spot welding 12b of the webs is done at the pads 12a. The short channel of a stud may extend within 11/2" of one end of the long channel and within 71/2 of the other end of the long channel. The long end of the long channel may be sawed off as much as 6" to suit job conditions. The short channel gives added stiffness necessary for proper sound-proofing results when using the resilient clips. Studs of varying lengths can be supplied when variations greater than 6" are required. If desired Wall panels made of metal lath and plaster may be used, and the metal lath may be wired directly to the studs. i

A metal trim plate 38 is provided adjacent the lower part of the wall structure, said plate having an arcuate inwardly turned upper flange 39, which terminates in a downwardly extending flange 40. The flange 40 is yieldingly pressed flush against the outer face of the wall panel 25 by means of a spring flnger 41, which is formed on a clip 42, the lower end of said clip 42 being provided with an inwardly tapered flange 43, which bears at its lower edge against the clip leg 18. A pair of integral flanges 44 are bent back on the plates 42 in U shaped form so as to embrace the upper edge of the channel flange 13 and form a fulcrum about which the fingers 41 and flanges 43 act to resiliently press the flanges 40 firmly against the face of thevwall panels 25. The lower edge of the trim plates or mop boards 38, is provided with an inwardly extending flange 46 which tapers slightly upwardly, the inward edge of said flange 46 engaging one of the clip legs 18 to ilrmly wedge the bottom of the trim plate between said clip leg 18 and the upwardly extending flange 20 and thus form a neat, rigid, wall structure. Openings 48 are provided in the channel strips 12 at intervals so that leads may be brought upwardly through said openings if desired. Electric conduits 23 have leads 49 attached to electric light plug receptacles 50 which are secured to the inside surface of the metal trim plates 38 by means of screws 51.

In the form of device shown in Fig. 3, a channel shaped clip or plate 53 is shown Afor supporting the bottom ends of steel studs 10 on a floor when no provision is to be made for passage of electric light wires through the partition. In this form of structure, the clip 53 is provided with an upstanding flange 54 on opposite edges thereof, and is provided with upstanding integral lugs 55 which are spaced apart from the corresponding flange 54 so as to retain the bottom edges of the wallboards 25 in position. Upstanding integral lugs 56 are struck from the metal of the clips 53 and are arranged in pairs so as to engage the bottom end of a steel stud 10 in the same manner as lugs 14. Holes 57 are provided in the clips 53 for attachment of the clips to a floor surface by means of nails, screws or the like. The clips 53 are also preferably used to support the upper ends of the studs and wall panels (Fig. 2). For this use, they are attached to a ceiling surface 53a by means of nails 53h. Ornamental moldings 53e may be secured to the ceiling surface at the junction with the vertical walls.

In the form of device shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 8, a U shaped clip 60 of comparatively short length is used for supporting each of the studs 10. The web of the clip 60 is reenforced by means of pressed beads 6l, and said clip has downwardly extending legs 62, on the lower edge of which are outstanding flanges 63 terminating in upstanding flanges 64 having top edges 65 which flare outwardly. The wall panels 25 are received between the legs 62 and flanges 64 so that the bottom edges of the boards are supported directly upon the floor with only the flanges 63 intervening between the bottoms of the boards and the floor. Each of the flanges 63 has an outstanding lug 66 which is provided with an aperture 67a for receiving a nail to attach the clip 60 to the floor. A plate 67 is attached to the web of the clip 60 by spot-welding 68, rivets or the like, and said plate 67 is provided with upstanding integral lugs 70 which are arranged in pairs similar to the arrangement of lugs 14 for engaging the bottom end of a stud 10. The clips 67 also serve to re-enforce the web of the clips 60. If desired, the clips 60 may be in the form of an elongated runner 72, as shown in Fig. 6, in which case the runner will be provided at intervals with apertures 73 for the purpose of permitting electric leads to be brought out through said apertures from the electric conduits enclosed within the runner. After the wallboards 25 are in position, the layer of plaster 36 may be applied to the outer surface of the wallboard, and the bottom of the plaster coating may be finished off with a quarter-round 75 of wood or the like.

I would state in conclusion that while the illustrated examples constitute practical embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself precisely to these details, since manifestly, the same may be considerably varied without departing from the spirit of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as 1?- pairs, a metallic building stud positioned on said 1f f plate and engaged by said lugs so as to prevent lateral movement of said stud, upstanding flanges formed on opposite edges of said plate, integral lugs on said plate in spaced parallel relation to said flanges, wall boards having the lower edges thereof received between said flanges and said last mentioned lugs, and means for securing said wall boards to said studs.

2. In a building construction, a U-shaped runner, means along the edges of said runner for engaging the lower edge of vertically extending wall panels, means for supporting said runner on a floor in spaced parallel relation thereto, electric wires extending longitudinally below said runner, metallic studs supported in a vertical position by said runner, a mop plate associated with said runner, and with the bottoms of said panels and studs, and means for connecting the tops of said panels to said studs.

3. In a building construction, an elongated, U-shaped metal runner having upstanding flanges formed along the longitudinal edges thereof, wall panels having their lower edges supported by s'aid runner inside said flanges, metallic, vertically extending studs having their lower ends supported by said runner, clips engaging said flanges, a mop plate, said clips having parts engaging the upper part of said mop plate so as to press said mop plate against a wall panel, and means for supporting said runner on a floor.

4. In a building construction, an elongated metal runner having upstanding flanges formed along longitudinal edges thereof, wall panels having their lower edges supported by said runner kan inside said flanges, a U-shaped clip secured to said runner and having downwardly extending legs resting on a floor surface, channel-shaped members formed along the bottom edges of said legs, a metallic mop plate having an inclined flange along the lower edge thereof, said inclined flange wedging into position in one of said channel-shaped members so as to secure the bottom of said mop plate in position, and means associated with said runner flanges for holding the upper edge of said mop plate in position.

5. In a building construction a U-shaped metal runner having downwardly extending legs supported by a floor surface, outstanding and upstanding flanges formed along the bottoms of said legs so as to provide channels, wall panels having the lower edges thereof supported in said channels, vertically extending studs having their lower ends supported on said runner, and means for connecting said panels to said studs.

6. In a building construction, a plate adapted to be supported on a floor, integral, spaced positioning lugs formed on said plate intermediate the edges thereof and extending upwardly in spaced relation, a building stud having the lower end thereof supported on said plate between said lugs, and wall panels secured to said stud and having their lower edges supported by said plate.

'7. In a building construction, a U-shaped metal runner, means along the edges of said runner for engaging the lower edges of vertically extending wall panels, means for supporting said runner on a floor in spaced, parallel relation thereto, e'ectric wires extending longitudinally below said runner, vertically extending, metallic studs supported by said runner, and means for connecting the upper edges of said panels to said studs.

8. In a building construction, a metal runner supported on a floor in substantially horizontal position, vertically extending, metal studs having their lower ends supported on said runner, wall panels secured to said studs and having their lower edges supported by said runner, a metal mop plate detachably secured to said runner along the bottom edge of said plate, and means associated with said runner for resiliently pressing the upper part of said mop plate against a wall panel.

9. In a building construction, a metal runner supported on a floor in substantially horizontal position means for spacing said runner apart from said floor an electric wire positioned longitudinally below said runner, wall panels and studs supported by said runner, a metal trim plate positioned adjacent said runner and panels, an electric outlet socket mounted on said trim plate, and an electric lead passing from said wire, and connected to said socket.

10. In a, building construction, a plurality of spaced, vertically extending studs composed of channels having the webs thereof secured together, one channel of each stud being longer than the mating channel, means for supporting said studs, and wall panels resiliently connected to said studs.

11. In a building construction, a plurality of spaced, vertically extending studs each of said studs being composed of a pair of channels having the webs-thereof secured together, one channel having an end protruding beyond the end of the mating channel, and a plate supporting said protruding stud end, said plate having outwardly extending lugs engaging said protruding stud end.

12. In a. building construction, a pair of channel strips having webs, pressed out spacing pads formed in one of said channels, and means associated with said pads for securing said channels together to form a stud.

13. In a building construction, a U-shaped metal member having a web and downwardly extending legs resting at the lower ends thereof on a supporting structure, electric wires extending longitudinally between the legs of said member, a vertically extending stud supported on the web of said member, means associated with said web for engaging and defining the position of the end of said stud on said web, wall panels having the lower edges thereof secured to said member and extending parallel to said stud, and means for securing said panels to said stud.

14. A device o f the character described, comprising a metallic member adapted to denne the position of a wall comprising stud elements and wallboard, said member having means for engaging the end of a stud, means for engaging the edge of a wallboard panel, and means for maintaining the member in spaced relation to a surface adjacent with said member is positioned, said last mentioned means being of a character to leave a substantially unobstructed space below said member, whereby conduits or the like may be conveniently disposed below said member.

15. A metallic base member, comprising a web portion, leg portions at an angle to said web and adapted to maintain said web in spaced relation to a floor or other surface whereby to permit conduits or the like to be positioned between said web and said surface, means on said web for engaging the end of a wall stud, means for engaging the edge of a wallboard panel, and means for atf taching said member to said surface.

16. In a structure adapted for wall construction, a channel-like member of substantial length, means intermediate the edge flanges of said member for engaging studs and the edges of wallboard panels, and means having substantial leg elements extending oppositely to said edge flanges, said leg elements being adapted to engage a supporting surface and space said member substantially from said surface whereby to permit conduits or the like to be placed between said member and supporting surface.

17. In a structure adapted for wall construction, a metallic member having independent means adapted to engage and define the relationship of wall stud means and wall panel means, means for maintaining said member in spaced relation to a floor or other surface whereby conduits or the like may be disposed between said member and said surface, and means on said last mentioned means for engaging a mop plate to be disposed adjacent said member.

18. In a structure of the class described, a metallic member comprising a web portion, angularly disposed flange means at the edges of said lliweb, and a plurality of lugs intermediate said flange means, certain of said lugs being positioned to engage the edge of a building panel adapted to be supported by said member, and

other of said lugs being positioned to engage the I or the like, and means on said web for engaging and defining the position of a stud.

20. In a structure adapted for wall construe.- tion, a metallic member comprising a web portion, means for maintaining said web in substantially spaced relation relative to a iloor or other surface against which said member is adapted to rest, means for engaging the end of a stud, and reinforcing beads pressed in said web to reinforce the same adjacent said stud engaging means.

21. A device for wall construction and adapted to be iixed adjacent a supporting surface in a building, comprising a metallic member of substantial face area and having angularly disposed edge anges, means on one face of said member intermediate said flanges for resilientiy frictionally engaging and defining the position of means such as a wall studv to be maintained in position by said device, and means at the face 'of said member opposite said engaging means for 

